Living Safe: Prosecutor’s murder strikes at the heart of society

Published 9:54 am, Wednesday, February 13, 2013

By Katherine Cabaniss

Crime Stoppers

Crime has consequences. The impact of crime affects not only the victims but often society as a whole. Every crime that is committed is an offense not only against the person who is victimized, but against law, order, and a regulated community.

A crime was committed this week against all of us. It is unspeakable in its depth and scope.

In Kaufman County, Texas, Mark Hasse was gunned down as he walked into his place of employment. Perhaps this would not be as remarkable if his place of employment were not the county courthouse. We might not be engaged in a nationwide manhunt if his job was not prosecuting felons for their criminal misdeeds.

The reality is that Mark Hasse showed up to work every day to see that justice was done in criminal cases. His job required that he prosecute offenders and protect society from their past deeds, and prevent further criminal activity in the future. He worked for our community’s safety. For that, he gave his life.

Our collective senses should be aroused and offended. A prosecutor, working for the benefit of all of us, was targeted in a violent murder plot carried out on the courthouse steps. The depravity and boldness of the offenders indicates their danger to society, now and in the future.

Because Mark Hasse was effective, he was targeted. Law enforcement will be equally effective in tracking the murderers, arresting them, and seeing that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We must all be equally committed to the protection of those who protect us. When a prosecutor is murdered, every citizen must speak up. We will not tolerate the injustice against those who are committed to our safety. We will not rest until the offenders are held responsible. We will not allow the scourge of this crime to tie the hands of those who would protect us in our community.

We will stand even stronger behind those who are on the front lines of our defense. We will hold the offenders accountable with the maximum punishment provided by law. Our collective will for justice in our community and the strength of our laws is reinforced. We will remain dedicated to what is right, and good, and just.

Justice on this earth will not bring back Mark Hasse. However, we will ensure that it preserves our ordered society, for Mark Hasse and citizens everywhere.

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Katherine Cabaniss is a former prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and currently the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit organization. She can be contacted at cabanissk@yahoo.com.